Latch for doors



`Fam. 2, 1923.

R. G, MOORE LATCH FOR DooRs Fl LED Nov. 30, l 921 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Iig/E TUR a A TTORNEV Jan. 2, 1923,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 R. G, MOORE LATCH PoR UooRs. Fl LED Nov 30 1 921 Som 12;

Patented dan. 2, i923.

narran 'stares RAYMOND G. MOORE, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNO TO THE IBASSICKl COMPANY, OF BRDGEPORT, CONNECTCUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

LATCH- FOR DOORS.

Application led November 3 a citizen of the United States, and resident o Bridgeport, inthe county of Fairfield and State et Connecticut, have invented f-ertain new and useful lmprovements in Latches for l-Docrs, of which the is a specilication. 1

rlhis invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in latches for doors. The primary objectlofthe invention is to provide a simple and eli'ective construction whereby the operation of the bolt tends to following torce the `door lirmly against its seat so to prevent rattling.

The improved latching or fastening device is particularly adapted tor use as an automobile door latchvin which the weaving of the automobile in operation strongly tends to cause rattling otthedoor. It should be understood, how ver, that the invention is not limited to such use but that the saine may be used to advantage in connection withsuch doors as refrigerator doors in which it is particularly desirable to have a tight closure and to doors generally such tor example as the doors ot buildings in which the wind is lilrely to cause rattling.

l accomplish'the desired purpose in my new construction by the use of a sliding bolt so mountedand guided that the movement of its outer endwill be deflected, the bolt is projected, the bolt preferably riding over a camsurtace so. as to deect its outer end against a lateral Vsurface 0i the keeper in such manner as to cause the bolt to press the door lirmly against its seat.

Other objects of the invention consist in the kprovision of improved combinations of parts and construction of elements, all as will appear more fully hereinafter in the following specification and be particu-` larly pointed out in the appended claims.

In order that a` clearer understanding ot the invention may be had attention is her-eby directed to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and illustrating by way of example one torni ot `the invention. ln the drawings Fig. l is a side elevation of a latch construction embodying he invention;

F10'. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken.

D i Y ythe door,y and having been 0, 1921. Serial No. 518,770.

on line 2-2 of Fig. l showing the latch bolt fully projected,

v3 is `a similar view in which the bolt isshown as being fully retracted;

Fig. l passed over the striker on the closing ot N completely baclred into its casing thereby;

Fig. 5 is asimilar viewl showing the bolt entering the striker recess prior to taking a deflected course;

Fig. 6 is a. similar' view showing the bolt atter the latter has been deflected and just as it engages with an interior surface oi' the striker recess; l

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the bolt fully projected to firmly seat the door against its seat onthe door amb, and

F 8 is a View similar to that shown in Fig. 2 illustrating a modified form of construction. .v

Referring to the drawings, I havev illus tra-ted the bolt as mounted within a usual torni of bolt chamber, it being understood that such construction is not essential but only that some suitable :torni of guiding means for the bolt be used. The latch casing or plate l is shown` as provided with the operating hand lever 2 pivoted to plate l by means of hub 3 which may be pro-L vided with a square opening to receive the illustrates the bolt as having shank of an operating handle or knob (not shown). Lever 2 isshown as urged tor-v ward by means of a spring et which bears thereon, this spring being secured to the casing in any convenient manner fas by means or the struck-up tongue 5 bent over the spring to clamp the same thereto.

The bolt 6 is illustrated as provided at its inner end with an enlargement 7 which slidably and roclrably lits within the bolt chamber 8, it being noted that this construction is advantageous but that the invention is not limited, in some of its aspects, thereto. A suitable spring is positioned to constantly urge the bolt forward to its operative position, such a spring being the coiledspring 9 which is positioned between the rear end of the boltI and the rear wall of the bolt chamber 8.

In the construction illustrated the operating hand lever,2 project-s through the bolt chamber, `and through slots 10 in the casing, lever 2 being positioned in iront ot the Cri i face 16.

enlargement or collar 7 on the bolt and being adapted whenopeiated to retract a bolt against the pressure ot springl 9.

The outer end oit' vthe bolt is provided with a beveled nose 11 which is adapted to ride- I-rear edge of the surface 121.

The outerend 'of the boltis also provided with a projection 13 extending rearwardly from the beveled or curved'surface 111, on the side of the bolt opposite to that on which the surface 12 is formed, projection 13 being shown as provided with an inclined front face 14. y

Projection 13'is adapted to slidably engage a surface or run-way in the bolt chai 1- berg-an elongated recess or runway 15 adapted vfor this purpose being illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of thedrawings. The forward edge of the run-way or casing is provided with an inclined wall 16 on which the face lel- -ot the bolt is adapted to ride when the bolt is proj ected.` Consequently as the bolt moves forwardly it is given a lateral deflection as the face ll of projection 13 comes into engageinent with and rides on the inclined sur- I have illustrated the invention as applied tothe door of an -autoinobile and have indicated the door jainb aspi'ovided with a striker or keeper 18 having a bolt receiving recess 19 and a contact plate 2O against which the door will seat when closed. Then the head of the bolt enters recess 19 the inclined. face 14- ot the bolt will ride up the inclined surface 16 of the casing so that it will be deiiected laterally troni the posititon shown in'Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6 in `which thefsurtace 121 of the nose of the bolt engages against the bearing plate 21 which 'fornis a continuation of the main striker plate. In the continued projecting` niovenient oi. the bolt, under the pressure of tling thereof during conditions ot operation7 `face 121 olf the bolt bearing lirnily against plate 21 'and surface 141:` bearing'V lirnily against surface 16 of the casing. lt will also `conditions ot operation.` Incase considerable pressure is exerted laterallyby the door Y jainb against the bolt., however7 as in the operation of an automobile7 when the weaving ot the car may cause considerable pressure to be exerted bythe-plate 21 against the tace 121 of the bolt., a greater amount oit' stress or strain niight be inipartedto the bolt and casing than is desirable. Such a strain is relieved, however, in the construction illustrated because in such a case the excessive pressure imparted to the :face 121 or' thelbolt would result in a cert-ain amount olI sliding of the surface Mdown the inclined face 16 ot the casing, causing the bolt to back to a suilicient extent into its chamberfso as to relieve the `strain, it being noted thatthe surface 16v should be given a sui'- iicient angle to make this action possible.

lllhen "the bolt is to be `retracted into its easing. as by the operation of hand lever 2. inclined surface 12 of the boltwill`coact with the adjacent edge `17 of the bolt chant ber to aid in returning the bolt to its retracted position. ln the drawings the norinal inoperative position olf the parts is illustrated vinfFigl ure 4l while in Figs. 5 and 6 isshown the position oiC the parts during the projection of` the bolt. Fig. 7 showing the parts when the bolt liasbeen fully projected. l/Vhen the bolt is thus fully projected rattling ofthe door'irillbe prevented'by the engagement oi Athe bolt with surface 21 on4 one side while the lug 13 has caninied or pressed vthe bolt casing in the opposite direction so 'that the door to which the casing is secured -will be iirinly pressed against the-seat V2O.

lt will be noted thatithe-constructiondescribed is such that the door may be opened` and closed very easily, a slight movement oi"A the hand` lever 2 to open .the door being sufficient to V relieve the pressure between the parts and perinit the ready` retraction oi the bolt. ln the construction illustrated the innerend of the bolt. illustrated as the col! lar or enlargement 7, iits withinthe bolt chamber suiiiciently tightly to prevent any loose or wobbly motion voi* the bolt7 the rounded surface ot' the portion 7 of the bolt making tor smoothness of operation during the sliding and the rocking motion of the bolt. This constructiton7 however7 while desirable is not as stated abovelessentialv` tothe invention. j

ln the Inodilied construction illustrated in S the depressed V-runway15 is eliini-v nated; a cani wall '22 ,being shown-asyfoinied on the adjacent edge ofthe casingto coact with an inclined surface atthe rear edge of `the beveled portion of the bolt.

The present application comprises in large part a continuation of my application Serial No. 436,936, lock for doors, filed January 13, 1921.

It will be noted that the outer end of the bolt is deflected laterally by the cam or inclined surface 16, as described, during the last part of the projecting movement of the bolt, this lateral movement preferably taking place during less than the last half of the proj ectin' movement.

lt should be understood that the invention is not limited strictly to the details of construction described but is as broad as is indicated by the accompanying claims.

l/Vhat l claim is l. In a dooru latch, the combination of a plate having bolt guiding means thereon, a single latching bolt adapted to firmly latch the door, mounted on said plate for sliding and rocking movement and guided by said means, hand operated means adapted to retract the bolt,-spring means constantly tending to press the bolt into projected position,

' and cam means for deflecting the outer end of the bolt laterally, during the last half only of the projecting movement thereof, to insure a firm seating of the door when the bolt has been thus-deflected against a lateral surface of the keeper.

2. In a door latch, the combination of a plate having bolt guiding means thereon, a

bolt mounted on said plate for sliding movement and guided by said means, saidy bolt having a bearing portion adjacent its forward end and said plate having an inclined surface adapted to ooact with said bearing portion to move the outer end of the bolt laterally, during projecting movement thereof, into engagement with a lateral surface of the keeper, to insure a firm seating of the door, and means for resiliently holding the bolt in projected position, with said bearing portion of the bolt bearing on said inclined surface of the plate, said coacting surfaces on the bolt and plate being constructed to permit sufficient rearward movement of the bolt from its projected position to relieve strain in case of pressure exerted laterally by the door or j amb against the bolt.

3. ln a door latch, the combination of a striker having a lateral bearing surface, a door j amb abutment against which the door seats when closed, a plate on the door having bolt guiding means thereon, a bolt mounted on said plate for sliding movement and guided by said means, said bolt having a nose with an inclined forward face adapt.- ed to ride over the striker plate as the door carrying the bolt is closed, a spring tending to press said bolt into projected position, hand operated means adapted to retract the bolt, and cam means for deflecting the outer end of the bolt laterally by and during projecting movement thereof,

against said lateral surface of the striker, to force the door against said abutment, said last named means being constructed to permit rearward yielding of said bolt against said spring in case of pressure exerted laterally by the door er jamb against the bolt.

l. ln a door latch, the combination of a plate having bolt guiding means thereon, a bolt gnounted on said plate for sliding movement and guided by said means, said bolt having a nose with an inclined forward face adapted to ride over a striker plate as the door carrying the bolt is closed, a spring tending to press said bolt into projected position., hand operated means adapted to retract the bolt, said bolt having a surface extending rearwardly from the forward end of said inclined forward face, adapted to engage against the striker when the bolt is projected, and said plate having an inclined forward surface up which a surface of said bolt on the side thereof oppositevto said first named surface will ride to force said first named surface against the striker, and down which the bolt will recede when lateral pressure is exerted thereon sufficient to overcome said spring. j

5. In a door latch, the combination of a plate having bolt guiding means thereon, a bolt mounted on said plate for sliding movement and guided by said means, said bolt having a nose adapted to be moved laterally when the bolt is projected, said nose having an inclined forward face adapted to ride over ak striker plate as the door carrying lthe bolt is closed, a spring tending to press said bolt into projected position, hand operated means adapted to retract the bolt, said bolt having a surface extending rearwardly from the forward end of said inclined forward face, adapted to engage against the striker when the bolt is projected, and having a projection extending laterally from its side opposite to said surface, to the rear of said inclined forward face, said projection having an inclined front surface, said projection being adapted to slide over said plate, and said plate having an inclined forward surface up which the inclined front surface of said projection will ride, and on which it will firmly bear, to force said first named surface against the striker.

6. In a door latch, the combination of a door j amb having a striker and an abutment against which the door seats when closed, a door having a plate thereon, a bolt slidably mounted on said plate and adapted to engage said striker, a spring tending to press the bolt into projected position, hand operated means adapted to retract the bolt, and cam means for forcing the outer end of the bolt laterally, during its projection, against a lateral surface of said striker and for causing the bolt' to press said door iii'nily against its said seating abutment, said bolt having a nose adapted to ride over the striker as the door is closed, and 'said cam means being constructed to permit rearward yielding of said bolt against the pressure of said spring during lateral pressure of the door or janib against said bolt.

7. ln a door latch, the combination with a door ijamb, having a. striker with a. lateral bearing surface, and an abutment against which the door seats Whenclosed. of a door having a runway thereon with an inwardly inclinedsurface at its onteiend, a spring f pressed bolt slidably mounted on said runwayiand having a projecting` beveied nose and a lateral projection back of the nose slidable on said runway and having a front surface adapted to ride up said inclined run- Way surface during projectionl of said bolt,

to force a surface of said nose laterally against said lateral bearing surface of the striker as 1t slides overtlie samev and at the same time by said projection force the door' against lsaid abutment.

8. In a doorllatch, a `casing having a bolt compartment,`a ybolt therein having a nose with an inclined forward face adapted to ride over a striker plate as `the door carrying `-the bolt is closed, and having an enlarged inner end slidablyand rockably-itting the compartment, a spring positioned to project the bolt forwardly, an operating handle po sitioned'- and adapted to retract the bolt against lthe spring, and means for deflecting member having bolt gnidingnieans thereon, a 'bolt mounted on said member for sliding movementand guided by said means, said bolt having bearing surface adjacent its forward end and said member haring a surface adapt-ed to ceac-t with said bearing sui'- face `of the bolt, one of said snrfaces being inclined, to more thefoute'r end of the bolt laterally; during proj ecting movement there of, into engagement with a laterai surface of the keeper, to insure a irni seating of the door, and means forresiliently holding the bolt in projected position, with said bearing surface of the' bolt restino on said coacting surface of said member, id coacting surfaces being` constructed to permit sufficient rearward movement of the bolt from its projccted position to relieve strain in case of pressure eXerted'latera-lly by the door or jamb against the bolt.

10. In a door latch., a casing having a bolt compartment providedwith a straight run- Way portion and having' an inclined Wall at itsv outer end, a single latch bolt spring pressed into projected position and movable in said compartment, having an inner end portion slidable and rocliable on said straight runway portion,` and'provided with a nose haring a surfaceon one side engageable with the inclined Wall to shift the nose of the bolt laterally, when the bolt is projected, and an inclined face on the opposite side of the bolt for moving on the adjacent edge of the casing to return the bolt into its compartment,-Wlien the bolt is retracted.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Faireld and State of'C'onnectiout this day of November A. D. 1921.

' RAYMOND G. MORE. 

